Shooting TIP #1 - Where to Get a Camera & a DP?

FILM CAMERA - Not many choices here. Most likely, you are going to have to rent a camera from a camera house.

Advantages: You know it will work, you know when you are going to get it, you have tons of flexibility.

Disadvantage: You need money and insurance. You probably have neither.

The best way to find a camera is to find a DP and let them find you a camera.

How to find a DP? Craigslist. Internet boards. Friends. As part of your normal networking strategy, befriend a DP. There are plenty around, you just have to find one.

The best way to find a low-cost, hungry DP is on a film set. Follow the yellow signs to find a set. If the set has any size, there will be camera department composed of two or three or maybe even more people. You'll know them because they hang-out around the camera and wear belts with air cans and colorful tape. Find the lowest person on that camera crew. They are probably the LOADER which means they are getting the least amount of money and are paying their dues. They want to be DP's one day. They studied DPing in film school. They may even have their own camera (cha-ching). And they certainly want to enhance their reel by shooting a real project. Find the loader and you've found your new low-cost DP.

Warning: They are somewhat new at this as well so there is a risk it may not work out. As Pops used to say, you get what you pay for.

One thing DP's talk about amongst themselves is 'where to find a camera?' DP's know where cameras are. That's their business. Find a DP. Find a camera.